Saikhom Mirabai Chanu once again proved why she stands at the top of Indian weightlifting as she opened India’s gold medal account at the Commonwealth Games with a commanding victory in the women’s 48kg category. The Manipuri weightlifter produced a record-breaking performance, lifting a total of 190kg to secure her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal.
At 31, Mirabai combined strength, experience and composure to dominate the competition in Glasgow. Her victory added another remarkable chapter to a career that has already brought her Olympic glory and established her as one of India’s most successful weightlifters on the international stage.
The result never appeared to be in serious doubt once Mirabai settled into her rhythm. However, the road to the gold medal began with an unexpected moment of tension when she failed to register her opening snatch attempt at 82kg.
Rather than allow the setback to affect her performance, Mirabai responded with the confidence of a seasoned champion. She quickly regained control and successfully lifted 85kg in the snatch, setting a new Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games record in the process.
Her performance in the clean and jerk was equally impressive. Mirabai opened with 105kg but could not complete her first attempt. Once again, however, she refused to let the missed lift disrupt her focus.
She returned for her second attempt and successfully hoisted the same 105kg weight. That lift secured the gold medal and also helped her rewrite the Commonwealth Games record in the clean and jerk category.
With 85kg in the snatch and 105kg in the clean and jerk, Mirabai finished with a remarkable total of 190kg. Her winning margin underlined just how dominant she was throughout the competition.
Nigeria’s Ruth Asuquo Nyong finished second with a total lift of 168kg. The 22kg difference between the two athletes highlighted Mirabai’s superiority on the day and reflected the gulf between the champion and the rest of the field.
Mirabai’s gold medal also carried special significance because of her history at the Commonwealth Games. The victory marked her third successive gold medal at the event, completing a remarkable hat-trick of titles.
Her Commonwealth Games journey has been closely connected with Glasgow. She had previously won a silver medal at the 2014 Games held in the Scottish city. Years later, she returned to the same stage and delivered a performance that further strengthened her reputation as India’s leading weightlifting star.
The victory also added to the growing legacy of a weightlifter who has repeatedly overcome difficult moments in her career. Mirabai’s journey has included setbacks, pressure and the enormous expectations that come with representing India at major international competitions.
However, she has consistently responded to those challenges with determination. Her success in Glasgow once again demonstrated her ability to remain composed when the stakes are high.
The competition itself began in unusual fashion for Mirabai. She entered the contest only after the other lifters had completed their attempts, meaning the spotlight remained firmly on her throughout the event.
That situation could have added pressure, especially after her opening failure in the snatch. Instead, Mirabai used her experience to regain control and gradually build momentum.
Her successful 85kg snatch changed the mood of the competition. From that point onward, she looked increasingly comfortable and began to establish her authority over the field.
The clean and jerk brought another brief moment of uncertainty when she failed to complete her first 105kg attempt. Yet, just as she had done in the snatch, Mirabai immediately bounced back.
Her successful second attempt at 105kg was enough to secure the title and break another Commonwealth Games record. With the gold medal already assured, she decided against taking an unnecessary risk with a third attempt.
The decision also reflected the bigger picture surrounding her campaign. The Asian Games were scheduled to take place less than two months later, giving Mirabai another major international challenge to prepare for.
Rather than push herself further after securing the title, she chose to protect her body and preserve energy for the competitions ahead. The decision showed the maturity that comes with years of competing at the highest level.
For India, Mirabai’s victory provided an early boost to the country’s Commonwealth Games campaign. Winning the first gold medal often creates momentum for a team, and her performance offered a powerful start to India’s medal challenge.
More importantly, the victory reinforced Mirabai’s status as one of the country’s most dependable athletes at major sporting events. She had already won an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo Games, and her continued success at the Commonwealth Games demonstrated her remarkable consistency.
Her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold also placed her achievement in a broader historical context. Winning once requires extraordinary preparation and execution. Winning again demands consistency. Completing a hat-trick requires the ability to maintain excellence across multiple editions of a major international event.
Mirabai managed to do exactly that.
Her record-breaking 190kg total was not simply a winning number. It represented the combination of physical power, technical skill and mental resilience that has defined her career.
The opening missed attempt could have unsettled a less experienced athlete. The failed first clean and jerk attempt could have increased the pressure. Instead, Mirabai treated both setbacks as temporary obstacles and responded with successful lifts when they mattered most.
That ability to recover quickly proved decisive.
The victory also highlighted the importance of experience in elite weightlifting. At 31, Mirabai has competed under some of the biggest spotlights in international sport. She knows how to manage pressure, read a competition and make calculated decisions when every lift carries enormous significance.
Her decision to skip the third attempt after winning the title showed that she understood the importance of looking beyond a single competition. With the Asian Games approaching, there was little reason to risk an injury simply to increase an already commanding winning total.
For Indian sports fans, the performance offered another memorable moment from an athlete who has become synonymous with Indian weightlifting. Mirabai’s success has helped bring greater attention to the sport and inspired a new generation of athletes to pursue weightlifting at the highest level.
The Glasgow triumph therefore meant more than another medal for the Indian contingent. It was another statement from an athlete who continues to deliver on the biggest stages.
Mirabai Chanu entered the competition carrying the expectations of a nation. She left with India’s first gold medal, three new Commonwealth Games records and another historic title to add to her growing collection of achievements.
Her 190kg total, built through an 85kg snatch and a 105kg clean and jerk, secured a comfortable victory over her closest rival. Yet the numbers tell only part of the story.
The more significant achievement was the manner in which Mirabai responded whenever the competition presented a challenge. After missing her first snatch attempt, she recovered. After failing to complete her opening clean and jerk, she responded again.
In the end, those moments became part of a performance that perfectly captured the qualities that have made her one of India’s biggest sporting stars: resilience, discipline and the ability to deliver under pressure.
With another Commonwealth Games gold medal secured and a historic hat-trick completed, Mirabai Chanu once again reminded the sporting world that her reign in Commonwealth weightlifting remains firmly intact.